The NASA Norcal Spec e30 Championship returned to Sears Point October 27th and 28th for the penultimate weekend of racing in the 2012 season, rounds 15 and 16 of 18. The fantastic Sonoma weather treated the team to a weekend of balmy 80 degree temperatures after a week of rain, which left a relatively green track.
Fresh from his late season resurgence, Brad McClure led the team off the two cars managing 3rd on the grid and Andy Chittum right behind in 4th after recovering from a broken front sway bar link. Eric Deck and Matt Row led off the field.
At the start, Andy managed to get around Matt and slot into 2nd, however, an spinning car in turn 2 ahead of Brad meant he had to slow, and another car hit the rear of the series-leading #1 car. Undaunted, Brad fought back and finished the race in 5th place.
Andy stayed just a few feed off Eric Deck's rear bumper and, though he had more speed, and even overlapped the car down the front straight, he was unable to make a clean pass and finished the race in 2nd, with Eric earning his first win in the series.
Sunday found an all BTM front row, with Brad qualifying on Pole, Andy 2nd, and new BTM employee Mike Shawhan in 3rd. At the flag, it was Andy that got the hole shot into T2 and a notably incident-free field behind. Several laps into the race, Andy overshot T7 slightly, and Brad took advantage getting into the lead. After many more laps of battling, the trio crossed the line Brad 1st, Andy 2nd, and Mike 3rd, with BTM Motorwerks taking its first podium sweep.
The NASA Norcal Spec e30 series will return November 10th and 11th for the final weekend of racing for the 2012 season. Brad looks poised to take Team BTM Motorwerks to their second consecutive championship, and Andy has a chance of a top-three finish in the series as a solo entrant. Stay Tuned!
